(CS) Luxembourg Labour Minister Nicolas Schmit has defended a partnership between job centre ADEM and women's support organisation Dress for Success against criticism from former Equal Opportunities Minister Françoise Hetto-Gaasch.

In a parliamentary question addressed to Schmit, Hetto-Gaasch had asked whether men would not benefit from the same kind of association.

Dress for Success collects donations for business attire to help women from financially disadvantaged circumstances look professional for a job interview. The organisation also offers coaching to boost confidence and help women get back into the labour market.

By offering to dress the women “for success”, Hetto-Gaasch also questioned whether such an initiative might not validate the idea that women are judged by their looks.

Responding to the former minister and CSV MP, Schmit defended the partnership. He commented that it added to the tools available to ADEM to help female jobseekers find employment.

He added that men had access to the same type of professional councelling through ADEM as women. As far as the charity's activities are concerned, however, Schmit said that Dress for Success was an initiative by women and for women, adding that he would be happy to work with an organisation offering similar support for men.

He also refuted the idea that women might be reduced to their physical appearance through the partnership. Instead, he said that the organisation helps women recognise their self-worth with the help of others sharing their experiences.

Schmit commented that involving the general public in the fight against unemployment was “essential” and should be reinforced by further such projects.